Security glass for doors

What is security glass for doors?

Security glass for doors replaces the glazed panel in a front, back or side door with laminated safety glass, usually in a sealed unit with a toughened outer pane. It stops the common trick of breaking the glass to reach in and turn a key or thumb-turn left in the lock.

Most glass in doors is in a critical location under the building regulations (in England, any glazing up to 1,500 mm from the floor; in Scotland, any pane in a door leaf), so it has to be safety glass that breaks safely when someone falls against it. Toughened glass meets that rule but falls out completely when broken. Laminated glass meets it too and stays in the door, which is why security advice favours a laminated pane wherever a lock could be reached through the glass. Scotland's building standards say exactly that for new homes.

Door glass comes in several forms: a sealed unit held by beads, a decorative unit with leaded or bevelled designs, or a glass cassette in a composite door that is made by the door's maker. We identify which you have at the survey. Standard units we make to measure with a laminated pane. Decorative designs can usually be rebuilt with a laminated backing pane, and for cassette doors we source a laminated cassette or tell you if only the maker can supply it.

How much does security glass for doors cost?

Our guide range is £150 to £510 including VAT (£125 to £425 plus VAT) per door, supplied and fitted. The exact figure depends on size, glass makeup, frame condition and access, and your fixed price is confirmed in writing after the free survey. See all glass prices.

Specification and options

Laminated inner pane with toughened outer pane
Safety glass suitable for critical locations
Clear, obscure and decorative designs
Laminated backing for leaded and bevelled panels
Glass for side panels and fanlights beside the door
Composite door cassettes where available
Internal beads or security tape so glass is much harder to remove from outside
Works with timber, uPVC, composite and aluminium doors

Where security glass for doors is used

Back and side doors with a large glazed panel
Front doors with glazed side panels
Kitchen and utility doors onto the garden
Flat entrance doors with vision panels
Doors with a thumb-turn lock near the glass

What to decide before you order

Keep the design

Most decorative glass can be copied or rebuilt with a laminated backing pane, so the door looks the same.

Side panels too

Side panels within 300 mm of the door are critical locations as well, and a weak side panel is an easy way in. We usually do both together.

Composite door glass

Some composite doors use a cassette made by the door's maker. We check whether a laminated version is available before quoting.

Thumb-turns and keys

Laminated glass makes reaching a thumb-turn far harder. Keeping keys away from the door helps too.

Rules across the UK

Safety glazing, building regulations, planning and listed building rules differ between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. These are the points most relevant to security glass for doors; local pages show the version for your nation.

England (similar principles apply in Wales, Scotland and NI)

Safety glass in critical locations

In England, section 5 of Approved Document K treats glazing in doors and in side panels within 300 mm of a door edge, from floor level up to 1,500 mm, and any other glazing below 800 mm, as a critical location. Glass there should break safely, be robust, or be guarded. Laminated or toughened glass meeting BS EN 12600 class 3 is the usual answer, rising to class 2 for door and side-panel panes wider than 900 mm.

Security rules for new homes

Approved Document Q has applied to new homes in England since 1 October 2015. Easily accessible doors and windows, meaning any part within 2 m vertically of the ground or another accessible surface, should meet PAS 24 or an equivalent, and glazing in doors and in windows within 400 mm of a door should be laminated to at least BS EN 356 P1A. It does not apply when you change the glass in an existing home, although it is a sensible benchmark.

Replacing glass in an existing frame

Replacing only the glass or sealed unit in an existing frame is generally treated as a repair in England rather than notifiable building work. Replacing a whole window or door is notifiable and is normally certified through a competent person scheme or approved by building control. Either way, new glass in a critical location should still be safety glass.

How it works

Tell us what needs securing

Use the guide price tool or form, or call. Pane sizes and a few photos help us give a guide figure straight away.

Free survey

A surveyor measures each pane, checks the existing glass, frame and beads, and talks through the rating that suits the risk.

Fixed price in writing

You get a written quote listing each pane, the glass type and class, the price and the lead time. Nothing is ordered until you accept.

Made to measure and fitted

Glass is made to order and fitted by glaziers working under our contract with you, then cleaned, checked and explained.

Security glass for doors: questions

How much does security glass for a door cost?

Most door glass upgrades cost from £125 to £425 plus VAT (£150 to £510 inc VAT) per door supplied and fitted, depending on size, design and whether side panels are included. Your fixed price follows a free survey.

Does door glass have to be safety glass?

Yes. Glass in doors up to 1,500 mm from the floor, and in side panels within 300 mm of the door edge, counts as a critical location and needs safety glass or protection.

Is toughened glass enough for a door?

It meets the safety rule but not the security need, because a broken toughened pane falls out. A laminated pane meets both.

Can you keep my stained or leaded glass design?

Usually. We add a laminated pane behind the decorative glass inside the sealed unit, or have a matching unit made.

Can you replace glass in a composite door?

Often. Some composite doors take a standard unit; others use the maker's own cassette, which we source where possible.

Will new door glass affect my door's warranty?

If the door is still under its maker's warranty, check their terms first. We will tell you if the door needs the maker's own glass.

Find security glass for doors near you

Choose your county or region for local information and the rules that apply where you are.

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